ARSON is believed to have been the cause of a blaze at the site of the former Croda factory in Bromborough.

Fire crews were called out to the unoccupied building on Pool Lane at around 7am today.

Part of a gable wall was knocked down by contractors using a mechanical digger, allowing firefighters access.

The first-floor of the two-storey building was extensively damaged.

A fire service spokesman said it is suspected the blaze was started deliberately.

Four appliances from Birkenhead, Bromborough, Wallasey and Liverpool were called out, along with the incident management team.